Setting up your CPG brand for success isn’t just about marketing savvy—it’s also about leveraging PR at the right time.

In this episode, we are joined by Amy Jackson—founder and CEO of TaleSplash. Amy shares why time is the most important asset for CPG brand launches and delves into the role of PR strategies and technologies in helping your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace.

We also discuss:

• Why CPG brands need consistent engagement with journalists and influencers to build authentic buzz and boost brand credibility.
• How leveraging both traditional journalists and social media influencers can provide a comprehensive PR impact.
• The importance of early planning and anticipating journalistic needs for successful PR campaigns, especially for large CPG brands.

In a world facing climate change and chemical contamination, sustainability alone isn’t enough.

Some businesses understand that people’s health depends on the planet’s health, and these companies are building a better world for future generations.

In this episode, we speak with Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, President & CEO of ECOS, a leader in healthy cleaning products. Kelly shares how ECOS achieved carbon-neutral, water-neutral, and zero-waste manufacturing, becoming the first climate-positive manufacturer in the U.S.

We also discuss:

• ECOS’ approach to educating consumers on safety and health
• Challenges and solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Making green and healthy products affordable and accessible

70% of all CPG products fail within the first two years in the market. So how do you make sure your product is set up for success?

The short answer is testing. It might sound simple, but if you don’t understand the science behind the testing process, your product may end up in that 70%.

In this episode, Chad Bingle , VP of Product at Bold, joins host Darcy Ramler as they share how the cutting-edge digital product testing and development methodologies are revolutionizing the way CPG products succeed in the marketplace. They also explore the shift from traditional survey methods to real-time digital feedback, emphasizing how digital space allows for swift adjustments that are crucial for hitting the mark with today's tech-savvy consumers.

Join us as we discuss:

• How leveraging digital tools and consumer feedback post-launch can significantly enhance click-through rates and product performance.
• Strategies for dissecting consumer behavior to tailor impactful marketing efforts
• How using machine learning predictive models connects consumer trends and derisk product launches
• And much more!

Growth might be the ultimate goal for every brand in the market, but if your growth strategy is focused solely on growing, it will fall apart – it will be blind growth.
You need to understand what propels your brand’s growth, and why it does so, and learn how to leverage it.

In this episode, we are joined by Chris Perry, Chief Learning Officer, and Co-Founder at firstmovr, as he delves deep into the Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant (SMART) Growth approach for brands in the e-commerce space. Chris touches on the power of strategic differentiation, the importance of testing products across various platforms, and how e-commerce techniques can revolutionize traditional category management.

Listeners will learn:

• How to build a brand by targeting the right shoppers rather than appealing to everyone
• The importance of leading metrics like completeness, comprehension, compliance, and compelling content, and how to leverage them
• How applying traditional category management principles to e-commerce, like focusing on existing buyers, can drive significant incremental growth and brand loyalty

In today's fast-paced world, consumer behavior is rapidly evolving—people demand their products quickly and efficiently.

In this episode, we are joined by Jason Vego, CEO & Co-Founder of Bevz, a Convenience Store SaaS company that provides a middleware platform that integrates leading delivery apps into a single interface. Jason delves into the consumer behavior trends that inspired the creation of Bevz and emphasizes the key role of convenience stores and small businesses in meeting these new demands, especially in a space where personalization and customization of products have grown exponentially. 

Join us as we discuss: 

• How understanding pain points on the client side can lead to an enhanced customer experience, and how technology can help in this process
• The importance of integrating data-driven insights into business decision-making, especially in DTC native products, when going to market
• Trends in the CPG space, such as the growing interest in international products, and the role of convenience stores in product discovery
• Why convenience stores and smaller brands are the future of retail

Join us as we talk with Jen Liao, the co-founder and president of MìLà. Jen shares MìLà's journey from a restaurant concept to a pioneering direct-to-consumer brand in the modern Chinese-American food scene. We dive deep into MìLà’s rebranding process, which goes beyond a mere name change, to embrace authenticity and innovation. From eliminating MSG to introducing clean-label products, MiLà's commitment to quality shines through. 

Join us as we discuss:

• The unveiling of MiLà’s rebranding journey
• Marketing suggestions for expanding the MiLà  brand
• How to engage customers by leveraging digital platforms and social media
• How testing new products can help you stay ahead in the food industry

Taking a product from the kitchen’s soup pantry to the shelf takes a lot of hard work, but, more importantly, an authentic concept and a solid community.

Drawing from her experience founding a startup, Chitra Agrawal, Founder of Brooklyn Delhi and Author of Vibrant India: Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn [A Cookbook], joins us to share her unique story, from building a blog community to brand conceptualization, merging her Indian roots with American culture, and how it got her products a place in large-scale retailers. 

Join us as we discuss:

• Chitra’s approach to organic growth and why she refuses to give up on her vision for fundraising purposes
• How Brookly Dehli co-manufactures with co-packers while maintaining high-quality products
• The importance of building a solid and supporting community before launching on a large scale
• How large retailers leverage social media platforms to introduce new products onto their shelves

There is no silver bullet to guarantee product adoption in the marketplace. However, businesses can implement strategies before launch to improve market readiness and increase the likelihood of securing a place in consumers' weekly dinners.

To dive deeper into these strategies, we’re joined by Eleni Shipp, Partner at The Partnering Group. With over 40 years of experience in marketing and innovation strategy, Eleni shares insights into the 5C Analysis and 3D framework. These powerful methodologies help businesses truly understand a product's market readiness and, if they're not there yet, how to transform them into remarkable, profitable offerings.

Join us as we discuss:

• Why large companies need to keep marketing and sales functions separate post-acquisition to propel innovation.
• The shift towards launching products on a smaller scale to manage risks and learn from market reactions.
• Adjusted strategies for CPG products, focusing on digital marketing, influencers, retail media, and social media
• Current dietary trends and psychological thought processes influencing consumer behaviors

The CPG Launch Leaders podcast is presented by Bold Strategies, Inc. Visit www.boldstrategies.com to learn more.

Success in the CPG industry is a heterogeneous concept. It can vary depending on the brand and requires patience, targeted growth strategies, and a willingness to iterate based on real consumer feedback.

In this episode, hosts Allan Peretz and Darcy Ramler are joined by Rachel Krupa, Founder of Krupa Consulting and The Goods Mart, to explore how to define, achieve, and sustain success for emerging good-for-you CPG brands. Rachel shares her insightful perspective on the power of the launch process at a smaller scale and how The Goods Mart is aiding these brands in building community and paving the way for long-term success.

Join us as we delve into:

• The myriad challenges facing brands, such as pricing, storytelling, obtaining genuine feedback, and the need for capital when transitioning to larger retailers.
• Why emerging brands should prioritize owning their regional market and fostering a community before expanding too rapidly.
• The significance of meticulously selecting effective funding strategies and partnerships, and their potential long-term impacts.
• How brands like Olipop, Partake Foods, and Perfect Bar have successfully navigated growth challenges and introduced innovative products.

The CPG Launch Leaders podcast is presented by Bold Strategies, Inc. Visit www.boldstrategies.com to learn more.

In this insightful episode of CPG Launch Leaders, hosts Allan Peretz and Darcy Ramler chat with Danny Houghton, innovator and co-founder of Carbonaut, a company specializing in low-carb bakery products. They explore the brand’s pivot to frozen foods and discuss how Carbonaut is making waves in the healthy foods market. Danny offers up his valuable point of view on how observing subtle market signals and moving fast can lead to successful product innovation and brand differentiation in the competitive CPG landscape.

Join us as we discuss:

• The innovative products we saw at Expo West and the growing interest in non-alcoholic, low-carb drink mixers and international flavors.
• The genesis of Carbonaut, born from a noticeable demand for low-carb options online that weren’t available in retail and it’s rapid growth in both Canadian and U.S. markets.
• The brand’s expansion into gluten-free, low-carb pizzas and burrito wraps and sharing insights into strategy to maintain taste and dietary compliance.
• The shift from viewing low-carb options as a diet to a lifestyle choice, and how Carbonaut’s strategic positioning caters to this enduring trend.

CPG Launch Leaders is presented by BOLD!  www.boldstrategies.com